7 great cities for vegetarian travelers

It’s inevitable: You ask a local where to eat, and they rattle off the places where you can get good barbecue or a great burger. But sometimes beef isn’t what’s for dinner. In honor of World Vegetarian Day on October 1, here’s a roundup of great cities for vegetarian travelers, where meatless eating is a breeze.

New York, New York: The Big Apple is the epicenter of pretty much all food, especially when you go ethnic. In the East Village, head to Angelica Kitchen for a colorful Dragon Bowl filled with rice, beans, tofu and other goodies. In Brooklyn, head to Bunna Cafe, a cash-only joint specializing in vegan Ethiopian food. New York is also home to an impressive offering of annual meatless meet-ups, including the Veggie Pride Parade in March and the New York Vegetarian Food Festival in May.

It’s easy being green at New York City’s Vegetarian Food Festival. Credit sneakerdog/Flickr.

Austin, Texas: This Texas city has no beef with vegheads, as evidenced by its hosting the annual Texas VegFest in April. And any time of year, roll up on some good eats at one of Austin’s vegetarian food trucks. Try the BBQ Revolution, which features soy-based “brisket,” tempeh “ribs” and other vegan options that help you a feel part of the state’s barbecue scene. Or try the Vegan Nom, which serves tacos with plant-based fillings like refried black beans with vegan chorizo.

The Vegan Nom in Austin is nacho mama’s taco truck. Credit Stephanie/Flickr.

San Francisco, California: The bay area haslong been a refuge for alternative lifestyles, so it’s no surprise that the region hosts the World Veg Festival this weekend. Any time of year, survey the veggie landscape during Mission: Vegetarian, a veggie-friendly tour of the city’s historic Mid-Mission District. San Fran’s Asian restaurants are a good bet for meatless cuisine. For a sit-down meal, good standbys include the aptly named Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant, which specializes in meatless Chinese food; and Cotogna, an Italian eatery where veggies are the star in dishes like ricotta ravioli and wild mushroom tortellini.

Portland, Oregon: This hipster enclave offers more than just a veggie-friendly restaurant here and there. Get comfy at the Cherokee Rose Inn, a cozy B&B serving an all-vegan breakfast. From there, walk a half-mile to Laurelhurst Park, a minimall full of vegetarian-friendly options. Even Laurelhurst Theater and Pub offers a spinach salad, veggie wrap and vegetarian pizza.

Chicago, Illinois: The Windy City may be known for its ketchup-less hot dogs and meat-covered deep dish pizza, but this Midwestern metropolis is friendly to all visitors, including vegetarians. The popular Chicago Diner serves up greasy spoon-style offerings with slightly less guilt, thanks to remixed dishes like the smoked tofu club and avocado tostadas. The city also gets props for being the headquarters of Chicago Vegan Foods, which supplies vegan marshmallows, cheese and other dairy-free delicacies to restaurants and grocery stores nationwide.

The Chicago Diner serves thick, juicy burgers, minus the meat. Credit Beth Granter/Flickr.

Richmond, Virginia: Strange Matter—part restaurant, part arcade, part art space, part underground music venue—wins over vegetarians and carnivores alike with its eclectic vibe. The bar-style menu offers meatless munchies like vegan buffalo wings and a portobello cheese steak. For something more laid-back, try Fresca on Addision, a casual eatery serving meat-free comfort food like vegetable chili, pesto pizza and a vegan chicken salad sandwich. The city also deserves a nod for hosting the Richmond Vegetarian Festival each June.

Boulder, Colorado: This mountain town serves up clean, vegetarian food that’s as pure as the driven snow. Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant takes the phrase “farm to table” literally, serving fresh produce, herbs and eggs from its very own farm; inventive offerings like smoked beet fettuccine, Jamaican jerk tempeh and avocado tartare keep things exciting. Over at Native Foods Cafe, enjoy filling fare like the colorful Ensalada Azteca or the Italian-style sub made with seitan “meatballs.” Save room for the peanut butter parfait.